Mr Michael Shaw: Order. Before we continue with the debate, I should remind the Committee, although I do not wish to criticise the speech of the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Sparkbrook (Mr. Hattersley), that inevitably there is some crossfiow of argument between clauses 18 and 57, and I hope that any mention of clause 57 will be made, as the right hon. Gentleman did, only in relation to clause 18.
Mr Michael Shaw: Order. The hon. Member is now firmly, and he has been for some time, dealing with clause 57.
Mr Michael Shaw: I am glad of this opportunity to speak following the right hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon). We understand that through no fault of his, he was unable to be present at our deliberations the other day. We missed him and we are glad to have him leading us today. It is right for me to say from these Benches how much we support his warm words of thanks to the man who formerly...
Mr Michael Shaw: Yes, one debate. The more significant fact is that most of the reports were drawn up by a different Committee. Many of those who were deeply involved, including some hon. Members present today, are no longer on our Committee, being engaged now on other duties. Much of the value of those reports lies in their being implemented quickly, and discussed as quickly as possible. The value of debates...
Mr Michael Shaw: Does my hon. Friend appreciate that the Comptroller and Auditor General merely audits the accounts of the individual areas and regions, which are already audited by Government officials or by private auditors from the commercial and professional world? When they come in, the Comptroller and Auditor General groups the accounts together. Therefore, he is not the responsible auditor for the...
Mr Michael Shaw: Perhaps I may deal a little later with some of the points raised by the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher). First, I should say how sorry all members of the Committee of Public Accounts are at the absence of our right hon. Friend and Chairman—he is certainly that to all members of the Committee—the right hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon). My hon. Friend the Member...
Mr Michael Shaw: In the Committee of Public Accounts we have almost entirely got rid of party political points. We study the problems as they are and try to reach a unanimous conclusion. I believe that, if I followed the hon. Gentleman's intervention, the spirit in which the Committee of Public Accounts conducts its business would be lost, but—the hon. Gentleman can make what he likes of this—our...
Mr Michael Shaw: asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the policy of the European Commission of delaying grant-aid to various sectors of the agriculture industry to save money.
Mr Michael Shaw: Does my right hon. Friend acknowledge that it is absolutely essential for many farmers that their grants are paid on the approved and acknowledged dates because their financial situation and cash flow are such that, having made arrangements with their bank managers, it is vital that those arrangements are kept?
Mr Michael Shaw: Is my right hon. Friend aware that, had she taken the opposite course and not sought to assist the British company to gain an important contract with the middle east, she would have heard criticism from the Opposition and from the whole of the country, and such criticism would have been justified and genuine?
Mr Michael Shaw: Is my right hon. Friend aware that he deserves the congratulations not only of the whole House but of the whole of the British fishing industry on the hard and constructive work that he has carried out on their behalf? Is he further aware that by his hard work he has shown that agreement can be reached so as to bring about a fair and constructive future for the fishing industry? Will he give...
Mr Michael Shaw: asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the Council of Fisheries Ministers towards agreement for total overall catch in 1984.
Mr Michael Shaw: asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the Council of Fisheries Ministers towards agreement for total overall catch in 1984.
Mr Michael Shaw: I am glad to take up the remarks of the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hughes). He began by saying that he felt that we had reached a bad agreement on the common fisheries policy. I disagree with him. It was essential that we reached an agreement, and in the circumstances we came to a good one. Whether we were in the Common Market or whether we were not, we had to have an agreement that...
Mr Michael Shaw: Does my right hon. Friend accept that, far from being a sad and sorry performance, as described by the Opposition, his performance held high hopes for a satisfactory outcome? I hope he understands that he is to be congratulated on the difficult negotiations, in which he took part over a long period of time. I hope he will agree that a set-back is one thing but that the determination to...
Mr Michael Shaw: What discussions have taken place among interested industries to see whether joint readings can be made, so saving labour?
Mr Michael Shaw: I was interested in what the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell) said, not least because some of my constituents look northwards to his constituency for employment. I have sympathy with much of what he said. He said that we should support existing industries. We must be sure that such industries have a future. Many of them have a future, but as a general concept we must ensure that we...
Mr Michael Shaw: I am grateful for the fact that my hon. Friend has raised this matter. Sir Donald Kaberry's elevation to the other place was welcome to every Member of the House. We send him our congratulations and good wishes. We hope that it will not be long before we see him among us in this great and historic building. Fridays are essentially days for discussing local issues. This morning the speeches...
Mr Michael Shaw: Will my right hon. Friend not take too much notice of the entirely negative but, alas, customary reaction from the Opposition? The difficulties of the fishing agreement are apparent to all, but progress has been made. Will he take note that fishermen — certainly those in my constituency — are chiefly concerned about policing? They are not satisfied that other nations will carry out...
Mr Michael Shaw: Will my hon. Friend assure us that, in carrying out the review, he will not overlook the right of British citizens who live in Europe to vote at the European elections?